Double twist cabling apparatus



March 9, 1965 H. CHAPUIS ETAL 3, ,2

DOUBLE TWIST CABLING APPARATUS Original Filed Oct. 5, 1959 1oSheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS HEN/E! CHAPu/S U6NE COLOMBI/ p404 GRANGE/Q -PAUL-MARIE p/ RRAT A TrQP/VFY March 1965 H. CHAPUIS ETAL 3,172,247

DOUBLE TWIST CABLING APPARATUS Original Filed Oct. 5. 1959 10Sheets-Sheet 2 PAUL lVAk/E P/ RA? A TrOE/VE Y March 9, 1965 H. CHAPUISETAL DOUBLE TWIST CABLING APPARATUS Original Filed Oct. 5, 1959 l0Sheets-Sheet 3 m vzwroes CHAPU/S HENRI EUGENIE' Como/4B1! PA UL GEANGEEPA (/1. MAR/E v /b'PE/V' March 9, 1965 H. CHAPUIS ETAL 3,172,247

' DOUBLE TWIST CABLING APPARATUS Original Filed Oct. 5, 1959 10Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS HENRI CHAPU/S Eves/v5 c0; OMBU PAUL GRANGER I/QPA UL-IYAR/E P/E'EEA 7 A TTOENEY March 9, 1965 H. CHAPUIS ETAL 3,172,247

DOUBLE TWIST CABLING APPARATUS Original Filed Oct. 5, 1959 10Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS HENRI CHAPUIS EUGENE COLOM8U PAUL GRANGERPAUL-MARIE PIER/9A ATTORNEY March 1955 H. CHAPUIS ETAL 3, 72, 47

DOUBLE TWIST CABLING APPARATUS Original Filed 0c t 5, 1959 10Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTORS HENRI cw: PU/S EUGENE COLOMBU PAUL GRA/VGffi.PA 04- MAE/E PIE/PRAY M r 1965 H. CHAPUIS ETAL 3,172,247

, DOUBLE TWIST CABLING APPARATUS Original Filed Oct. .5, 1959 10Sheets-Sheet 7 rm/zA/roks HENRI C'HA Pu/$ EUGENE (040M 11 PAUL GEAA/GEPA (/4 -/1Akl 1 /599 47- F WWZ A rrak/YE Y March 9, 1965 c -mpu s ETAL3,172,247

DOUBLE TWIST CABLING APPARATUS Original Filed Oct. 5, 1959 10Sheets-Sheet 8 HEN/G! (HA pu/s EU GENE c04o/vau PA UL CBPANG 6R PA UL-MA 19/6 flP/PA 7 A TTOENE Y March 9} 1965 H. CHAPUIS El'AL 72,

DOUBLE TWIST CABLING APPARATUS Original Filed Oct. 5, 1959 10Sheets-Sheet 9 INVENT P HENRI CHAPU/S Eflf'A/E (040M511 pnu; Grew/V651?PAUL-MARIE HERE/l7 A rrolewa Y March 9, 1965 H. CHAPUIS ETAL 3,172,247

DOUBLE TWIST CABLING APPARATUS Original Filed Oct. 5, 1959 10Sheets-Sheet l0 PAl/L-MA/P/f P/EREA 7 United States Patent 8 Claims.(ill. 57-5852) One of the most important outlets for textiles, notablyfor artificial and synthetic textiles, is in cabled yarns for thereinforcement of pneumatic tires, belts and other articles of rubber.Cabled yarns are obtained by a process identical with that long employedfor cotton. A first twist is imparted to the filaments, a strand isformed with a plurality of these filaments by imparting an inversetwist, and if desired a number of strands are assembled, the strandsbeing untwisted.

In the cast of artificial and synthetic textiles, coarse yarns of 840,1650 or 2200 deniers are generally employed, and the production of thecabled yarns then comprises only the first two twisting phases.

These twisting phases have for a long time been carried outsuccessively, that is to say, in a first operation the twist wasimparted to the filaments, for example on mills, twisting frames, etc.,and the ends were thereafter cabled on other machines of the same type.It i also known to use, both for twisting and for cabling, double-twistdevices which impart at least two twists per revolution of the spindle,and double-twist devices are known in which the double twist is impartedat the unwinding of the supply bobbin, as also devices operating at thetake-up.

Combined apparatus have also been designed, comprising spindles of theusual type of double-twist spindles in which an appropriate number offilaments receives a first twist at unwinding, and in which the twistedends are cabled at the winding-on.

Known double-twist spindles include those in which a temporary twist isimparted to one core end, which is enveloped by an end twisted with adouble twist. This type of spindle lends itself only to two-ply cabling,while the combined devices mentioned in the preceding paragraph permitof cabling several ends.

The present invention relates to an improved combined apparatuscomprising spindles producing a double twist at the take-oil, and adouble-twist spindle for the cabling.

This application is a division of copending application Serial No.844,345, led October 5, 1959, now abandoned.

An object of the invention is to provide apparatus capable of producingcabled yarns of optimum quality, with equipment of maximum simplicityand of minimum overall dimensions which ensures a minimum working cost.

The conditions of optimum quality of cabled yarns are essentially:

(l) The use of large packages;

(2) Etfective control of the tensions of the ends and of the wound-oncabled yarn and uniformity of the tensions from one end to the other;

(3) Ready individual adjustment of the speeds of the spindles andtherefore of the twists;

(4) Absence of harmful tension on the end and on the cabled yarn;

(5) Automatic stopping of the device in the event of breakage of an end;and

(6) Production of regular wound packages at winding-on.

The conditions in regard to simplicity of the equipment are essentially:

(1) Ready attachment of the ends;

(2) Ready access to the movable elements and simple removal of thelatter;

(3) Direct control of the various spindles by a single belt; and

(4) Rapid removal of the empty bobbins from the unwinding spindles andof the wound bobbin.

The conditions regarding overall dimensions are essentially:

Minimum occupied surface and access to all elements at convenientheight.

The conditions in regard to minimum cost are essentially:

Minimum shut-down time; frame of minimum weight; and minimum powerrequirements per kilogram ofthread.

The apparatus according to the present invention satisfies all of theseconditions.

it comprises essentially in each unit A a reinforced frame consisting oftubular constructional elements or perforated angle-irons, a pluralityof double-twist unwinding spindles B of the type in which the cage isheld fast by gravity, special guides C for the external balloon of eachof the spindles B, a delivery element D for the uniform association ofthe ends and a special guide E similar to the guides C for the externalballoon of the double twist winding-on spindle F.

The invention will be more readily understood with reference to theembodiment illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings: FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic front element of a unitaccording to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale of a take-0E spindle;

FIG. 3 is a transverse detailed section of the hub member taken alongthe line 3-3 of FIG. 2. on a much larger scale;

FIG. 4 is a transverse section taken along the line 44 of FIG. 2 on amuch larger scale;

FIG. 5 is a front elevationof a take-off spindle;

FIG. 6 is a detail view showing the mounting of the guides;

FIG. 7 is a partial front elevation showing the delivery element;

FIG. 8 is a partial side elevation of the delivery element with theparts in section;

FIG. 9 is a rear elevation of the delivery element;

FiG. 10 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 2 showing the take-upspindle;

FIG. 11 is a front elevation of a spindle on an enlarged scale; and

FIG. 12 is a diagrammatic expanded plan view of the gearing. V

The drawings illustrate an embodiment of the invention with threeunwinding spindles and a take-up spindle and thus adapted for themanufacture of three-ply cabled yarns. It is to be noted that it isusual to impart during the cabling a twist opposite to that of thetwisted ends, the effect of which is to untwist the ends in the cabling.The invention permits of producing any combination of twists either witha cabling twist which may be equal to or smaller or greater than thetwist imparted to the ends. The twisting of the individual ends couldalso be equal or different, but is normally equal. As an example, theinitial yarn may be of 1650 deniers with 70 8 turns per meter, and 400additional turns are imparted during the twisting. In the cabling, a Ztwist of 470 turns per meter is imparted. This gives a so-calledcompensated cabled yarn.

In FIG. 1, the frame A consists entirely of metal tubes, of which tubes1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 can be seen. These tubes are assembled by wellknown means, as for example, double clamps such as those shown at thebottom lefthand corner of the drawing. The oblique tube 8 is an elementintended to increase the rigidity. Another oblique tube (not shown),crossing at 90, is provided at the rear of the frame. The uprights 4, 5,6, 7 etc. can be mounted on small pedestals which may comprise resilientbase plates.

The frame carries a motor 11 provided with a pulley 12, three unwindingspindles B and take-up spindle F. The three unwinding spindles B eachsupports a pulley 13, while the take up spindle supports a pulley 14.The motor 11 drives the three spindles B and the spindle F through asingle belt passing over the pulleys 13 and 14 along a sinuous path. Theaxes of the three spindles B and of the spindle F are appropriatelyoif-set in the horizontal direction to render unnecessary the use ofidler pulleys. Since the three spindles B are identical, only one willhereinafter be described in detail.

As is known in the case of double-twist unwinding spindles, the threadis first unwound from a package on a bobbin centered on a shaft. Thisbobbin is held fast by gravity. The withdrawn thread thereafter entersthe bore of the shaft, from which it issues radially and forms anexternal balloon on its way to an axial guide. The guide C associatedwith each spindle B is mounted on a retractable support. The analogousguide E associated with the spindle F is mounted in the same way. Theends twisted by the three spindles B, having passed over the guides C,then pass over the guide rollers 15, each of which is associated with acheek 16, while they converge towards a guide 17 comprising threerollers 18 of which two are shown, are returned to the delivery elementD, converge towards the balloon guide E, similar to the device C, andare cabled as they are wound on to the bobbin mounted on the spindle F.In this very schematic description of the apparatus as a whole and ofits operation, all detail has been omitted, and the description of theelectric control with its accessories has also been omitted since it isnot essential for an understanding of the invention.

According to FIG. 2, the three unwinding spindles B comprise: A shaft 19having mounted on its end a driving pulley, previously designated by 13,for the rotational drive. This pulley is conically bored and is fittedon the frusto-conical end of the shaft 19 and locked thereon by means ofa screw 20, the head of which bears against a washer 21. The shaft iscarried in a fixed bearing 22 with the aid of two ball bearings 23 and24. These bearings are maintained in position by the usual keyingelements 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, against the shoulder on the shaft 19. Thatportion of the said shaft which emerges from the bearing 22 is axiallybored at 34 and comprises externally, first a frusto-conical portion 31and then a cylindrical portion of smaller diameter, these two portionsadjoining one another at a shoulder 32. Fitted on the frusto-conicalportion is a profiled circular plate 33.

The am'al bore 34 leads into a transverse bore extending across theportion 31. A hole 35 formed obliquely in the shaft (see description ofFIG. 3) leads to an orifice 36 in the plate 33. The latter is locked inposition on the frusto-conical portion 31 by means of screws 37 screwedinto the collar 38 bearing against the shoulder 32. The relativeposition of the plate 33 on the shaft 19 is ensured by a pin 39. Thus,the plate 33 is fast with the shaft 19. The rim of the plate 33 isformed with a groove 40 to receive a ring of small rollers 41 axiallymounted on small pins 42. On its periphery, the said pin is protected bya crimped ring 43 having a smooth sliding surface.

On the external cylindrical portion in prolongation of thefrusto-conical portion 31, the shaft 19 supports a casing 44 with theaid of two bearings 45 and 46 spaced apart by an intermediate sleeve 47.The casing 44 is fast with a circular plate 48 fixedly mounted on thecasing by 4: screws 49. The plate 48 serves as a support for an axialcage formed of six parallel bars 50. These bars are joined at the farend. The rear of the plate 48 serves for centering and supporting ahousing 51 of frust-o-conical form which is seated on the casing 44.

The plate 43 and the elements secured thereto are held stationary whenthe shaft 19 is rotating by the counterweight 52 maintained in positionagainst the plate by the screws 53. The circular plate 33 forms with thehousing 51 a deflecting means and reduces the free clearance, therebypreventing the introduction of threads or thread waste between them. Onthe cylindrical portion on the delivery side of the casing 44, the shaft19 supports a profiled sleeve 54 with the aid of two bearings 55 and 56for the mounting of a tube 57 supporting a thread package 58 to beunwound and twisted. The elements 59, 60, 62 and 63 are intended forkeying the bearings 55, 56 maintained axially on the shaft 19 by the nut61.

The profiled sleeve 54 terminates at the rear in a rim 64 serving as abrake drum (description of FIG. 4). Fixedly mounted on this rim 64 isthe other side of a bearing washer as for the tube 57. The fixing screws66 are countersunk.

In addition, the profiled sleeve 54 is formed externally with a groove67 having a fluted base, in which there is disposed a resilient ring 68of circular cross-section. When the tube 57 supporting the wound packageis engaged on the sleeve 54, it very slightly flattens the ring 68 andcauses it to turn on itself by virtue of the flutings, in order tofollow this displacement. The relative positions are such that the ring68 exerts a thrust on the tube 57 in order to maintain it in contactwhen the latter has abutted the washer 65.

The sleeve 54 has at its forward end a cut-away portion 69 which servesto receive an extension sleeve 70 formed with three apertures 71situated 120 apart, and enclosing an inner sleeve 72 cut-away in itscenter part. Three leaf springs 73 (only one of which is shown) areengaged in the apetures 71 and bear on a cut-away portion of the sleeve72. The latter is maintained by the flange 74 of a funnel-shaped member75, which is in turn maintained by a split metal ring fitted within agroove formed for this purpose in the sleeve 70.

In order to prevent the introduction of threads or thread waste whichwould impair the action of the braking device on the rim of the flange64, the latter is protected by a casing 76 which is supported by studs77 screwed into the plate 48. Fixedly mounted on one of the bars 50 is asmall support 78 on which is mounted a loose roller 79 aprpoximatelytwo-thirds along the length from the plate 48. Further to the front,there is mounted another support for another loose guide roller 80. Inaddition, the front rim 86 of the bar cage supports a retractable crossmember on which is mounted a small support which in turn carries a thirdloose guide roller 81. The object of this assembly will hereinafter bedealt with in the description of FIG. 5.

It has been stated in the foregoing that the axial bore 34 in the shaft19 communicates with an oblique hole 35, both extending into a commontransverse bore. FIG. 3, which shows on a larger scale a transversesection along the line 33 in FIG. 3, explains the object of the saidtransverse bore 82 extending across the frusto-conical portion 31 of theshaft 19. The said bore 82, by reason of the positioning of the plate 33in relation to the shaft 19, is coaxial with a transverse bore formed inthe hub of the plate 33, the two ends of which are screw threaded at 83and 84.

Mounted in the bore 82 is a cylindrical cartridge consisting of acentral roller 91 with a groove 92 maintained by means of two bearing 94and 95 on a pin 93. The two bearings are maintained in position oneither side of the central shouldered portion of the pin 93 by tworecessed plugs 96 and 97 fixed by the nuts 98, 99 on the screwthreadedends of the pin 93. The Whole element thus described, fitted in a sleeve1114) constitutes the removable cartridge. A transverse pin 1G1 preventsrotation of the cartridge thus formed and serves also as an abutment forthe axial positioning, so that the groove 92 in the roller 91 issituated in the diametral plane of the spindle. The said cartridge ismaintained axially in position by the plugs 87, 83 screwed in to thebores 33, 84 by way of the plate 33. The bore 82 is so formed that theaxis of the shaft 19 is tangential to the base of the groove 92 in theroller 1. The object of this cartridge is to form a guide means, whichis readily accessible for the purpose of cleaning, for the threadtravelling from the axial passage 34- in the shaft 19 towards theoblique outlet passage 35.

It will be seen that, by reason of the previously describedarrangements, the assembly comprising the sleeve 54, the tube 57 and itspackage 58 can also turn independently of the rotation of the shaft 19and of the plate 33 connected thereto. This relative rotation permitsthe unwinding of the package. It will also be noted under the sameconditions that the plate 48 remains stationary by reason of itspendulum-like mounting. In order to obtain a tension on the unwoundthread, it is necessary to brake the rotation of the sleeve 54.

The description of FIG. 4 is intended to explain the device relativethereto. This figure is a transverse section along the line 44 of FIG. 2and therefore in two successive planes, as indicated by the arrow.

In the drawing there are six bars Stl constituting the cage, one ofwhich carries the support '78 of the first guide roller 79, and thecasing '76. There is also shown a section of the rim 64, of the casing44 and of the shaft 19. The dotted circle represents the package 58.There is also shown at 52 the counterweight for holding fast the plate48. The thread leaves the surface of the laterally unwound package at162 and passes over three bars Stl. The first of these bars 54encountered by the thread is mounted loose to avoid variations intension which might occur between the beginning and the end of thepackage on a fixed bar as a result of the variations of the arc ofcontact. Between the second and third bars encountered by the thread,the latter comes into contact with the arm of the feeler 103. The latterforms part of a bell crank lever rocking on the pivot 194. The other arm105 of the bell crank lever is formed with holes 1% for the engagementof one end of a spring 107. There are three holes for three differenttension ranges of the spring.

The spring 107 is attached at one end to a nut 112 8 hearing on theplate 48 and incapable of turning. The said nut is mounted on a screwthreaded rod extending through a pivot 111 at its cylindrical portion119 and bearing on the pivot at its hexagonal head 112. In turning, thesaid head 112 displaces the nut and thus varies the tension of thespring, whereby the force with which the thread bears on the feeler 1433forming part of the bell crank lever 105 is adjusted, but in additionthe said bell crank lever 105 is secured to a lug 113 to which there isattached by means of a locking collar 11 one end of the brake belt 115,the other end of which is attached to a fixed stud 117 after passingover the rim 64. When the tension of the thread increases, the feeler 1%pivots to the right and the braking action of the rim 64 will bereduced, so that the package will be less retarded in its rotation andthe tension of the thread will be brought to the desired value. Sincethe belt 115 is not extensible and is therefore likely to causeconsiderable variations in the braking action with small movements. ofthe feeler, an elastic portion 116 has been provided to regularize thebraking conditions.

FIG. 5, which is a front view of an unwinding spindle B, shows the frontrim 86 adjoining the six bars 56', the securing nuts of which can beseen. The second'guide roller 80 is situated behind the rim 86 and isindicated ,in dotted lines. The third guide roller' -l, is shown. Thelatter is mounted on its support 118 secured with a cross member 119,which is retractable for the replacement of the tubes 57. For thispurpose, the cross member 119' is rotatably mounted on a pivot 129. Thecross member 119 is shown at 119, in dotted lines, in the retractedposition. It may be formed with a slot 121 which engages a pin 122 inthe latter position. In addition, the cross member 119 comprises alocking pin 123 engaging a stud in the active position of the roller 81.

In the operation of unwinding spindle B, the thread is unwound from thepackage, the rotation of which is braked as a function of the tension ofthe thread. The thread pulled from the package passes out of the cageformed by the bars 56 over a number of bars (and over the feeler of thebraking system), and then over the first guide roller 79 and over thesecond guide roller 86 (FIG. 2) and thereafter passes through the hollowportion of the rim (FIG. 5) towards the third guide roller 81, fromwhich it enters the funnel 75 and thereafter axially enters the bore 34in the shaft 19. The thread returned by the central roller 91 of thecartridge receives its first twist between the rollers 81 and 91. Fromthe latter, it travels through the oblique hole 35 and issues radiallythrough the orifice 36 in the hub of the plate 33. It travels over aportion of the ring of rollers 41 before unwinding axially over thesmooth ring 4-3, from which it forms a loop and receives a second twistin travelling towards the corresponding loop stop guide C, which willnow be described.

The guides C and the guide E of FIG. 1 are formed of a retractablesupport arm adapted. to take up two fixed positions with a change inpositions by a pivoting action. Each guide comprises on its outlet sidean eye 15A, which is the loop stop guide proper and is directed in theaxial position along the axis of the corresponding spindle B. The smalleye 15A is followed by a roller 15, to which there is juxtaposed a reardisc 16 serving for. the ready positioning of the thread. FIG. 6 relatesto the system for locking a guide C in two positions.

The object of the two fixed positions of the retractable arm is tomaintain it either in the active position, with the eye 15A inprolongation of the axis of the spindle B dur ing the unwinding of thepackage 58, or in the withdrawal position for the removal. of the tubes(packages exhausted or an end having been broken).

FIG. 6 shows the mounting of an element C and the operation. This figureillustrates the mounting and the free end of the retractable arm inunbroken lines (active position) and also in broken lines the free endof the retractable arm in the withdrawn position.

The element C comprises a base forming a clamp 125 fixedly mounted onone of the horizontal tubes of the frame A with. the aid of a cap 126and bolts. The clamp 125 in the form of a U-shaped member supports oneach of its side arms a U-shaped pole piece. These two parallel polepieces 128A (of soft lamellar iron), one of which is shown, are castintegrally in the clamp 125. At the upper end, a magnet128l3 forms thebridge between the said pole pieces, thus establishing the magneticcircuit. The arm 12% is mounted in. a ferrule 127, which is pivotallyconnected at 13% to the clamp 125, which has two lugs for this purpose.A soft iron plate 12A is fixed, for eX- ample: by bolts, to the ferrule127. In the operative position, the plate 129A rests at its lower faceon the lower lips of the two pole pieces 128A. The said plate ismagnetically held in position. In the retracted position, the lever 129having pivoted about the pin 139, the plate 12A rests at its upper faceon the upper lips of the pole pieces 123A and is magnetically maintainedthereon.

it is to be noted that the mounting of the arm on the tube-of the framecan readily be shifted simply by slackening the collar 126, and the eye15A can thus be moved to wards or away from the spindle, whereby theamplitude of the balloon is varied. This is important for adjusting thetension asa function of the mechanical characteristics f the yarnsemployed. Inaddition, the speed of each unwinding spindle B iscontrollable and it is possible, more especially in the case of blendedcabled yarns, to give each end the desired twist and tension.

The three thread ends in the case of a three-ply cabled yarn leaving theguides C converge towards the delivery member D illustrated in FIGS. 7,8 and 9, the essential object of which is to subject to the cablingaction twisted yarns of equal length under the same tension. Thedelivery member is composed of the support plate 130 fixed to anappropriate point of the frame A. The said plate supports on its twofaces guiding and adjusting elements.

On the supply side of the delivery member D is disposed a convergentelement (on the inclined bar 8 of FIG. 1) composed of a fixed support 17and three rollers 18 (of which two are shown, the third being concealedby another in FIG. 1). One of the ends which is to pass close to thedelivery member D is guided by a supple mentary roller 131 at the top ofthe support plate 130. The three ends are directed towards the roller132 and the slightly inclined guide roller 133 associated therewith. Thethree yarns each envelop this assembly by one or more complete turns.The roller 132 is keyed on a shaft mounted on bearings (not shown) whichshaft is provided with a brake drum 134.

On leaving the assembly 132, 133, the three ends pass over a roller 135with a considerable angle of contact and thereafter over the roller 136having three grooves for the three ends. From there, they passseparately over three feeler fingers of an electric stop motion 137 ofwell known type, and also over a second guide roller 136A having threegrooves and thereafter they converge towards the guide E to form theexternal balloon on the take-up spindle F. The roller 135 is mounted onthe end of an arm 138 on a pivot 139. The said arm is pulled by a spring140 attached at one end to the said arm and at the other end to a nut141. The nut 141 bears on the support plate 130 and cannot turn. It ismounted on a threaded rod 142 extending through and supported by a pivot143. This system 141, 142, 143 permits adjusting the pull of the spring.

The pivot 139 is pivotally mounted on the plate 130 (FIG. 9) to a secondarm 138A, to the end of which there is attached the inextensible brakebelt 144 and its elastic portion 145, which, after having passed aroundthe drum 134, is attached at the other end to a fixed point 146. Fromthe aforesaid means, it will be noted that the tension of the yarns inthe balloon in the winding device F balances the sum of the tensions onthe ends at the inlet to the drum of the delivery device plus thatprovided by the braking of the latter.

When the tension increases in the balloon of the winding spindle F, theroller 135 is urged upward in FIG. 7, and the arm 138 pivots in thecounter-clockwise direction. Thus, the arm 138A also pivots, in theclockwise direction in FIG. 9, and the braking of the drum 134 isreduced, the rotation of the roller 132 becomes freer and the resultanttension on the free yarns decreases. Conversely, in the case of areduction of the tension in the balloon of the winding spindle F therotation of the roller 132 becomes less free due to accentuated braking.

The operation of the electric stop motion 137 is of the conventionaltype and is not described here. In the event of breakage of a yarn itoperates and stops the motor driving the spindles D and the spindle F.

After having passed the common balloon guide E, the group of free endsis directed towards the take-up spindle F, which will now be describedwith reference to FIGS. 1, 10, 11 and 12.

This take-up spindle is designed on the same principle as the unwindingspindles B, but the thread follows an inverse path therein. However,this inverse path and the necessity to wind the cabled yarn positivelyinvolves the presence of a number of additional members, the characterand operation of which will hereinafter be described with a generalreference to the main differences between the spindle F and the spindlesB, which are:

(l) the rotation of the shake-up spindle must be effected from thespindle shaft through gearing;

(2) The reciprocating movement of the cabled yarn combined wtih that ofthe package, which is necessary for filling the bobbin, is obtained bymeans of a sliding block actuated by a cross-thread screw, the rotationof which is derived from that of the bobbin. This screw replaces one ofthe bars of the cage;

(3) The plate on which the bar cage is mounted is held fast for thegreater part by the weight of the appropriately positioned gearingwhereby the mass of the counterweight is considerably reduced;

(4) A delivery member is disposed on the retractable cross member of therim in front of the bar cage and is positively controlled by gearingfrom the spindle shaft; and

(5) The plate 48 of the bar cage supports the casings of the shafts onwhich the gearings are mounted.

It is to be noted that the spindle F has larger dimensions than thespindles B its take-up bobbin having to receive the sum of the packagesof the latter.

The manner in which the spindle shaft is driven is identical and willnot be further described. That part of the shaft which extends from thebearing, as also the plate 33, are also of the same general form as inthe case of spindles B. The casing 44 is mounted on the shaft with theinterposition of two bearings 150, 151 (FIG. 10). The said casing 44supports the plate 48 serving as a base for the bar cage 50 and for thehousing 51. As stated above the plate 48 supports a series of gears onits two faces, partly in the rear housing 51 and partly on the otherface in the housing 76.

In FIG. 10, the said gearings are not completely shown and theirarrangement is more readily apparent from the kinematic chains of FIG.12. The intermediate sleeve 154 of the two bearings 150, 151 is keyed onthe shaft and is designed in the form of a toothed ring at 155. Thecasing 44 is formed with a recess (not shown) opposite a wide segment ofthe said ring. The latter, which is driven by the shaft at high speed(for example 6000 revolutions per minute) drives successive reductionpinions 155a, 155b, 155c, 155d, 1552, 155 the latter being secured to ashaft driving at its other end a delivery member which will be describedin detail with reference to FIG. 11. Mounted on the same shaft as thepinion 155e, on the other side of the plate 48, is another pinion 157driven by a friction member 156, the drag of which can be adjusted by aspring.

The dotted lines indicate the meshing of the said pinion 157 with thetoothed ring 160 fixed on the profiled sleeve 54 turning on bearings161, 162. The said sleeve is therefore driven through friction member156 by the rotation of the shaft of the spindle F. The ring 160 alsodrives the successive reduction gearings 160a, 160b, 160e, 160d, 160e,1601 and 160g, the last one being keyed on the shaft 158 of thecross-thread screw 153 for the transversing motion. The number ofreciprocating movements therefore bears an absolutely constant ratio tothe number of turns of the bobbin 152.

A sleeve 167 of very slightly smaller diameter than the bore in the bodyof the bobbin is positioned on the profiled sleeve 54. The sleeve 167has formed in its outer surface a groove 168 having a fluted base(similar to the groove 67 in the spindle B) in which is disposed aresilient retaining and centering ring at the rear of the body of thebobbin 152, another device for centering the bobbin being provided atthe front. The profiled sleeve 54 is extended by a hollow cylindricalmember 169 of equal external diameter to the sleeve 167 and secured tothe head of the profiled sleeve 54 by an intermediate screw threadedsleeve 170 fixed to the hollow member 169.

The said member 169 has at the rear a transverse partition 171 with acentral tubular part 172, the axis of which is aligned with that of thebore of the shaft of the spindle F. Slidably engaged in the member 169is a profiled mandrel comprising a frusto-conical portion 173 betweentwo cylindrical guide portions. Formed in the hollow member 169 arethree apertures 175, in each of which there is mounted a shoe 1'76 ofcylindrical external form and frusto-conical internal form, where itbears against the part 173 of the sliding mandrel.

The relative positions of the two members are such that the three shoes176 project slightly from the hollow member 169. Two annular grooves177, 178 are formed in the member 169 level with the apertures and thesaid grooves are extended by grooves of like profile in the shoes. Tworesilient rings.179, 180 thus maintain the shoes against the slidingmandrel. zThe latter is provided at its forward end with a grip ring 181fixed by screws 182.

In addition there is mounted on the tube 172 a coil spring 184 bearingat one end against the end face 174 of the sliding mandrel and at theother end against a washer 183 secured to the tube 172. Thus, the. saidmandrel is fully engaged in the hollow member 169 and the shoes 176project to the maximum extent.

When the mandrel 173 is pulled forward by means of the ring 181, theshoes 176 are withdrawn into the in terior of the apertures due to theaction of the resilient rings 17%, 180. By turning the ring 181 aboutits own axis after it has been disengaged from the member 169, it ispossible to rest it on the latter. It is then sufficient to engage thebobbin, which enters freely. Once it is in position under the action ofthe rear resilient ring, the ring 181 is so turned as to engage in themember 169. Under the action of the coil spring 184, the mandrel 'isforced in and the shoes come into contact with the body of the bobbin,thus ensuring perfect centering thereof.

The crossed thread screw 153 which replaces one of the bars St? ispreferably disposed at the bottom of the bar cage as in FIG. 10. Itsupports a sliding block fixed to a support for the traversing roller185.

FIG. 11 is an end view of the take-up spindle with the members forguiding the cabled yarn and a delivery member. Disposed on this end faceis a retractable cross member 186 adapted to pivot at 187. The saidcross member has on its end a hook 188 for engagement on a stud 189. Aspring (not shown) tends to return the stud and ensures the locking ofthe arm. The arm in the retracted position for dotting the bobbin isshown in dotted lines at the bottom and the left of FIG. 11. The crossmember 136 supports at its center the support 190 of the roller 191. Thesaid cross member also supports a delivery member comprising a cylinder192 associated with a grooved roller 1%. The said cylinder 192 iscentered on and secured to a toothed wheel 1% meshing with the pinion15? keyed on the end of 'the transmission shaft, which is driven at theother end by the pinion 155] (see FIG. 12). The ring 86 is formed with ahole 195, close to which a guide roller 197 is mounted on a support 196.Another guide roller 198, shown in broken lines because it is situatedbehind the ring 8-5, is fixed on a support mounted on a bar 50.

The group of three twisted yarns coming from the guide E forms anexternal balloon, and receives a first twist in traveling towards theoblique hole 35, is guided around the central roller 91 into the axialchannel 34, in which it receives a second twist, leaves the spindle byway of the tube 172 and is guided around the roller 191 towards thedelivery member, where it describes a number of complete turns on thecylinder 192 and the fluted roller 193, the turns being separated by theparallel flutings.

The said delivery member, the speed of which is positively determined bythat of the spindle, ensures the speed of travel absolutely necessaryfor obtaining the desired cabling twist. No slippage occurs. liverymember, the cabled yarn passes around the guide roller 197 and throughthe hole 195 in the ring 86 and is guided tangentially to the bar cageby the roller 198. The

On leaving the decabled yarn successively passes over a plurality ofbars 50 so as to reach the roller 185 of the traversing sliding block.The said roller ensures the take-up on the bobbin 152 with traverseimparted by the crossed thread screw 153.

The path followed by the thread is indicated in FIG. 11, as also is thedirection of rotation of the bobbin, which is shown by the arrow. Thebobbin has a take-up speed which is slightly greater than the speed ofthe cabled yarn fed by the delivery member. Consequently, under theaction of the friction drive on the bobbin, the cabled yarn is placedunder slight tension between the delivery member and the bobbin. It isnecessary for the output layer of the block constituting the deliverymember al.- ways to be tensioned in order to avoid slippage. Thistension on the delivery side may be adjusted by the fric tion member156, as previously explained. The wound package on the bobbin is alsoformed with minimum tension.

This is important in the case of cabled yarns of synthetic textiles,with which even high tensions which are momentarily applied are notdeleterious (while they are harmful if t ey are maintained for a verylong time, as is the case in the interior of wound packages.

It is to be noted that the gearing on the left side of the center shaftin the machine proper is so arranged that the gear wheel 157 meshes withthe gear wheel 1160, although this is shown in FIG. 12 as a developmentwith the gears 15''] and 160 out of mesh.

The gearing to the right of the center shaft is not coplanar with thegearing to the left,'but is at a small angle as will be clear from aconsideration of FIG. 12.

The improved apparatus according to the present invention permits ofobtaining highgrade cabled yarn formed of two or more ends, of anydesired construction, with all textile materials or combinationsthereof. The machine may equally well be fed with yarns withoutpre-twist as with pre-twisted yarns. The production is substantially thesame in both cases, since the unwinding spindles can turn more rapidlythan the take-up spindle. The various tension compensators and guidemembers, delivery members and feed members ensure a complete regularityof the cabled yarns and completely satisfactory operation of theequipment, resulting in almost complete absence of breakage andtherefore maximum output of the equipment and minimum repairs.

The design of the equipment, based on the use of the simple rotatablemechanical elements which can be balanced without difficulty, ensurescontinuous regular operation with minimum consumption of power.

It has been stated in the beginning of the specification that thedescribed installation represents a unit with its individual motor. Itis easy to align batteries of units and the provision of an individualmotor for each unit increases the flexibility of operation and resultsin an improved output of the whole assembly.

It is also to be noted that the noise is reduced by the construction ofsome of the pinions of reinforced plastic material. The pinions 1555 and155c (see FlG. 12) have been placed in front of the plate 43 so thatthey are readily accessible and replaceable whereby it is impossible toobtain with the aid of the take-up spindle a considerable range oftwists. The friction member 156 is similarly accessible for changing thespring when necessary.

It should also be noted that a suction device (not shown) may be usedwith the machine to facilitate and reduce the labor involved in passingthe thread through the spindles and the convergence eyes.

What is claimed is:

1. A double-twist take-up spindle comprising a hollow rotatable spindlemounted to rotate about a horizontal axis, means including a yarn guidedisc mounted to rotate therewith to guide yarn in an external ballooninto said spindle, a yarn package support sleeve journalled on saidspindle and connected to be driven therefrom, a bar cage journallcd onsaid spindle to extend between the yarn package and the external yarnballoon, a traversing guide member on said cage in registration withsaid sleeve for guiding yarn onto the package, a gear train carried bysaid cage and interconnecting said traversing guide and said sleeve fordriving said traversing guide at a predetermined ratio, said gear trainbeing positioned to act as a Weight to prevent rotation of said cage.

2. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 1 a guide member in axialalignment with said spindle for guiding the yarn to the externalballoon, a pivoted arm carrying said guide member and mounted to swingbetween an operative and a retracted position, and means for adjustingsaid arm axially of said spindle for controlling said balloon.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 in which magnetic means is providedto hold said arm in operative or retracted position.

4. A double twist take-up spindle as set forth in claim 1 wherein saidyarn guide disc has a transverse bore and said traversing guide memberand adapted to cause said member to traverse the yarn, said gear trainbeing connected to cause rotation of said rod.

5. A double twist take-up spindle as set forth in claim 1 wherein saidyarn guide disk has a transverse bore and a removable cartridge carryinga guide roll is positioned therein with said guide roll tangent to theaxis of said hollow spindle and a yarn passage extends radially fromsaid transverse bore.

6. In combination with a double twist take-up spindle as set forth inclaim 1 a delivery device for feeding a plurality of yarns to saidexternal balloon, said delivery device comprising a common feed rolladapted to carry all said yarns and to feed the same at equal rates, abrake acting on said common feed roll and feeler means responsive tovariations in tension of the combined yarns connected to control saidbrake so as to maintain said yarns at a constant tension whereby therate of delivery of said yarns is controlled by the tension of the yarnballoon.

7. A double twist take-up spindle as set forth in claim 1 having adelivery roll mounted on said cage and adapted to feed yarn from saidhollow rotatable spindle to said traversing guide member, a second geartrain driven from said spindle and connected to drive said deliveryroll, said second gear train including a friction drive for limiting thetorque applied to said delivery roll.

8. A double twist take-up spindle as set forth in claim 1 wherein apivoted arm is carried by said cage and has mounted thereon a guide rollpositioned in axial alignment with said hollow spindle, said arm beingadapted to be retracted about its pivot out of alignment with saidpackage, a delivery roll mounted on said arm, said cage including arotatable rod connected to drive said delivery roll and gear meansinterconnecting said rod with said spindle for driving said rodtherefrom.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,361,041 Lasch Oct. 24, 1944 2,487,838 Uhlig Nov. 15, 1949 2,534,496Agresti Dec. 19, 1950 2,586,123 Truitt Feb. 19, 1952 2,635,413 TruittApr. 21, 1953 2,729,052 Vibber Jan. 3, 1956 2,830,431 Klein Apr. 15,1958 2,834,178 Klein May 13, 1958 2,839,887 Breazeale June 24, 19582,869,314 Bibber Jan. 20, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,074,938 France Apr. 7,1954

1. A DOUBLE-TWIST TAKE-UP SPINDLE COMPRISING A HOLLOW ROTATABLE SPINDLEMOUNTED TO ROTATE ABOUT A HORIZONTAL AXIS, MEANS INCLUDING A YARN GUIDEDISC MOUNTED TO ROTATE THEREWITH TO GUIDE YARN IN AN EXTERNAL BALLOONINTO SAID SPINDLE, A YARN PACKAGE SUPPORT SLEEVE JOURNALLED ON SAIDSPINDLE AND CONNECTED TO BE DRIVEN THEREFROM, A BAR CAGE JOURNALLED ONSAID SPINDLE TO EXTEND BETWEEN THE YARN PACKAGE AND THE EXTERNAL YARNBALLOON, A TRAVERSING GUIDE MEMBER ON SAID CAGE IN REGISTRATION WITHSAID SLEEVE FOR